Goodbye January.

Well I'm four days from departure for the Super Bowl. I've officially picked out 2 of the clothing items I'm going to wear. Sadly, they don't even go together. I allowed myself one new outfit...well, part of an outfit (aren't budgets the worst?) for the 'after party' which SHOULD be arriving via UPS tomorrow during the day. I may have to beg my boss to let me do drive bys of the condo every hour tomorrow until it comes. Is that wrong?

To say this weekend didn't go according to plan is a bit of an understatement. We planned to make it to the party early so we could be in bed early BUT Sarah didn't even get to Tampa til almost 9. So, after dinner and the party we finally flung ourself into bed at 12:30 (my idea of early is 10 by the way) for 6 hours of sleep before we had to be up for Gasparilla 2010! It was worth the sleeplessness however, since Gasparilla was WAY more fun this year than last. Last year we walked 10 miles, got sunburns and blisters, AND by the time we were done walking most of the parade was over.

This year we parked on the lawn of my friends house, hung out at their party until 30 minutes after the party started, walked 1 block to the parade and saw as much of the rainy debacle as we desired before walking back to grill out. It was a delish and entirely less tiring and stressful Gasparilla experience. Totally worth the lack of sleep which was made up for when we crawled into bed, well onto the air mattress that is pretending to be my couch for now, to 'watch a movie' and passed out by 8pm. I'm not as young as I used to be!

Oh yeah, you're wondering about the bull-riding huh? Sadly, by the time our business manager responded all the freebie tickets had been taken and our office didn't get any. Tear. So no bulls this year. But honestly, as fun as it would have been - my body is thankful that I let it recover last night from the 5 hour night before. Lame, I know...but so true.

Today was relaxing. I had to be at church early to work the table for Financial Peace which starts near the end of February. We got a great response after the service today and it looks like we'll be busting at the seams with new budgeters this 'term'. After a little recruiting I hit Brio for brunch with Aubs & Sarah before, sadly, Sarah had to return to Jville this afternoon.

I promised myself I would be productive today which apparently translated into vegging watching Criminal Minds, Millionaire Match Maker, and *drum roll* a lifetime movie! BUT in my defense I did fold 3 loads of laundry, change my sheets, balance my checkbook, work on my budget for Feb, workout, read, and pack two cardigans along the way. So today was not a total waste.

Without finishing my last book, I started 'Accidental It Girl' today during my workout. Don't judge me, I was craving some chick-lit in my life. At least it kept me on the bike for 8 miles of uphill riding!

Oh yeah, and did I mention I'm leaving for the Super Bowl in four days!?

Love,
B

A little privacy please.

Social networking has made little Internet celebrities out of us all. All of the sudden people are paying attention to our dating lives, know where we are and what were doing, see pictures of us daily, etc. Those habits were once reserved for the Lindsay Lohan's and Brangelina's of the world. But facebook, myspace, twitter, linked in, and blogger have changed all that. Now we've come to expect that we can find out anything, about anyone, in 5 minutes or less...from our phones!

The tricky thing about this is finding a balance and keeping some semblance of boundaries on your personal life. Social networking can be an excellent way to keep up with friends from high school or college that you may not see regularly anymore. Or keep up with your family members and see pictures of your little nieces and nephews (I don't have those ...yet). BUT giving people unlimited access to your life certainly has repercussions.

When I determined I was going to start blogging, I had to determine if this was going to be a public or private blog. Did I want to be anonymous or let people know who I am? Just how much more access did people need than the 1500 people who know 'what's on my mind' from facebook or 'what I am doing' from twitter?

For the most part, I put it all out there for you. I don't blog every one of my inner most thoughts. But I'm up front and honest on my blog about what I've got going on in my life and the mistakes, flaws, and mishaps along the way. In my mind it has been worthwhile. I've grown to love sharing this blog with you all.

I do still reserve a few categories for myself though. One being my dating life. You'd be surprised how many facebook messages and e-mails I get about my hidden relationship status. Am I single? Am I dating? Am I in a relationship? Is it any of their business? Not really. I will say this, if I ever start seriously seeing only one person I promise to tell you. But I'm not going to publicize my dating life. I find that awkward and I think it could be problematic. So, that's a 'me only' category. People are only informed on a 'need to know' basis.

If I did get to blog anonymously, I think I would talk about dating. Because I have plenty of thoughts and funny stories about my 'dating life'. But since you all know who I am, where I'm from, and who I hangout with I'm afraid that's impossible. I'd sure hate to humiliate anyone by publicizing their faux pas (or mine) on a blog for you all to figure out who they may be.

In recent weeks I've been reconsidering the number of people who have access even to my limited profile on facebook. I mean, do that many people really need to see pictures of me on my birthday? Or know how I spend my Christmas vacation? Probably not. A friend of mine recently did a 'clean sweep' of their facebook friends and I'm feeling somewhat inspired. It may be time to make some cuts. No offense to all those lovely people I met once in a class at Purdue who friended me and I never defriended later.

I think it's time for a little privacy.

Love,
B

Meet Raf.

I met Rafael Smith my freshman year of college. He was living in the same dorm as several of my guy friends and we met in the hallway when I was chatting with his roommate. We'd both come to Purdue from the Indianapolis area and we were both practically living in the Art & Design building at the time. He was studying Industrial Design while I was pursuing my degree in Photography. We had classes together and started studying for several of them together.

We stayed friends and met up for 'catch up' lunches along the way, even after I'd left art school to pursue social work. We shared a heart for helping other people and we talked countless times about what that would look like in our chosen professions. Each of those conversations only served to make me wonder more, how a 20-something year old guy could care so much about people. Even people he doesn't know.

His heart for the poor and marginalized in other countries spoke to me, the girl who's never gone farther than Hawaii. Clearly smart and talented, he could have had his pick of design jobs anywhere in the world but I've never heard him say anything about money. He truly wants his work to better the world. A quality that more of us should adopted both personally and professionally.

In the year and a half since I graduated and moved away to sunny Florida, we've stayed in touch. Every time he calls me or I drop him a line, I'm fascinated by what he's up too. From spending time interning in GERMANY to trying to produce an affordable shelter for those in need...he's always got something big going on (I contribute somewhat less exciting updates).

So, this time his project is getting the attention it deserves and he has a chance to get it produced! In the wake of the Haiti disaster and the relief efforts happening there - I can't help but think that this is exactly what we need! I want to share it with you all so you can catch the vision & in case you want to show some support by spreading the word for donate $10.00 to the cause.

Check my boy out here.

Love,
B

Wild wild weekend.

I've been anxiously awaiting my friend Sarah's first visit to Tampa since I bought the condo! In fact, she will be my first overnight guest since I moved in. We planned the trip a few weeks ago and then as the time as drawn closer I have been invited to one after another cool events for this weekend. Thankfully, Sarah is lots of fun and as excited as I am about each one.

So, I'm sharing with you in advance so that you all can be excited to see the pictures of this crazy weekend.

Friday Night were going to hit The Lodge for dinner, because it's our favorite. Then were going to head up to North Tampa to celebrate a very special friend of mine (and my small group leader)'s birthday party which has an 80s theme! I know you all will be disappointed but I don't think were dressing up. We didn't have anything to wear and with the Super Bowl next weekend, I'm on a strict budget.

We will be turning in pretty early Friday night to prepare for Saturday. Saturday we are going to Gasparilla for the invasion and probably staying for the parade. Some friends of mine who live right off the strip where all this will take place, are having a house party. So since Sarah has never experienced this chaotic Tampa tradition, I'm going to take her to scope the craziness. Yay!

I thought that was going to be a full weekend...but we determined that we are also going to hit up some Bull Riding at the St. Pete Times forum that evening. I mean, why not? I ended up getting offered free tickets through work and we couldn't help think that that would be a blast! So, always down for an adventure were going to head from Gasparilla to Bull Riding Saturday night.

Note to self: Charge my camera. This is one weekend that really MUST be documented.

Stay tuned. ; ]

Love,
B

Second Jobs.

I've been having countless conversations with friends these past few weeks about the pros and cons of getting a second job. Now that I've taken a financial class and am signed up to help facilitate a group for next term, my friends think I am now the expert. False. But I do have some opinions about this subject from both personal experience and from that of the results of my friends.

So, if you're considering a second job as a means of getting ahead financially, saving more, having more disposable income, or paying off your debt - lets chat. When I moved to Tampa I became obsessed with the idea of being debt free and financially responsibility. I was 2 days out of college and already feeling overwhelmed with all that was ahead of me. My solution? I got a second job.

Now, for me this was a great experience. I was making an extra 500 bucks per month in cash that I was chucking straight towards paying off my car. I was able to pay it off in less than a year, at which point I got rid of my second job. Because the goal was not to get rich by never having time or energy. The idea was to work hard for a period of time to get myself out of the hole. Once that was achieved I was ok to let go of my second income and live simply.

Here are my cautions about second jobs:

They will zap you of time and energy. This often times results in counter productivity. When you're tired and busy you are more likely to spend money eating our or doing takeout (bad for the wallet AND the waistline). You are more likely to impulse buy due to higher level of stress. It is easy to let your 'real job' suffer because you don't have as much left to give. This can really be a trap that keeps you from promotions or advancement. You do not want this to happen. Lastly,you are more likely to hate your life because you don't really get to have one...

But if you're going too...

Second jobs can be a great way to meet short term goals! Taking a 'seasonal job' to help fund Christmas shopping or a summer job to offset the cost of books for school are great examples. For me it was paying off my car because I hated the idea that really someone else owned my car because of debt. For quick fixes you can bear down, be serious, and really put 100% of your extra income towards your goal. But be willing to let it go when it's over...life is too short to work around the clock.

Oh last word of caution...if you're trying to get a second job to get ahead do not choose somewhere in which you will spend as much as you make! Example: I once got a 'for fun' job at Coach (handbags). I loved that job. Everything about it. But I loved the discount the most...so much so, that I'm pretty sure they MADE money off my working there. So friends, be smarter than the 18-year-old version of me.

Love,
B

Super Bowl Giveaway!

Well I said before and now I'm holding myself too it. I'm going to the Super Bowl and I'm giving you the chance to have a souvenir! My second ever giveaway here on my blog and it's going to come all the way from the MIA.

Now, I've been having a hard time coming up with a prize that will be equally desirable to all ages, races, genders, etc. So, I've decided to cross that bridge when I get to it. Or in other words, pick the prize after I pick the winner. That way I can make SURE that you get something that you would like! So...without further ado I would like to start the Super Bowl Giveaway contest.

To win, you must be a follwer of my blog. You can do this with an e-mail address...you don't HAVE to have a blog of your own. Also, you must comment on this blog entry and give me a reason of some sort (it can be real, funny, sarcastic...whatev) as to why you should win.

That is all.

Let the games begin.

Love,
B

Food for Thought.

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. People who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them'. -- George Bernard Shaw